MURFREESBORO, TN (WGNS) - Middle Tennessee State University is celebrating one of its own this spring as Associate Professor of Soil Science Samuel Haruna has been named the 2026 recipient of the prestigious John Pleas Faculty Award. The honor recognizes a faculty member who exemplifies the highest standards of teaching, research, and service — and colleagues say Haruna embodies all three.
A public ceremony is planned for 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in the Tennessee Room of the James Union Building. The event is free, and the community is invited to attend.
College of Liberal Arts Dean Leah Tolbert Lyons, who received the award herself in 2020, said Haruna’s energy in the classroom is unmistakable. “His passion for his work is infectious and makes him effective in teaching and mentoring students,” she said. “Receiving the John Pleas Faculty Award is a tremendous honor because it represents the highest standards of teaching, research and service.”
Haruna is known across campus for his enthusiasm — the kind that makes even the most complex environmental concepts feel approachable. He often talks about the importance of showing students why the work matters. “Somebody once told me that the worst thing a professor can do is walk into class assuming students care about what you're about to talk about,” he said. “If you want to reach the students, show them why you are interested in what you do.”
His academic path began in Nigeria, where he earned a geology degree from Kogi State University. He later moved to the United States, completing a master’s in environmental science at Lincoln University in Missouri. His connection to MTSU started in 2016 as a Minority Dissertation Fellow, and after earning his doctorate from the University of Missouri, he joined the School of Agriculture in 2017.
Since then, Haruna has collected multiple teaching awards, published more than 30 peer‑reviewed papers, contributed to over $6 million in external funding, and supported Middle Tennessee farmers through applied research. He also serves as associate dean for academic programs in the College of Basic and Applied Sciences.
For Haruna, the recognition is meaningful — but the motivation remains simple. “If you want to get students engaged, show them why you’re passionate. That passion becomes contagious,” he said.
